Permanent tieback or roof anchors are the most installed type of equipment in the fall protection and window washing industry. They serve as secure attachment points for various safety systems, ensuring the safety of workers at height. This guide will help you understand tieback anchors, their significance for fall protection, and how to design, manufacture, and install them effectively.
The Basics of a Permanent Roof Anchor
A permanent roof anchor is a basic post with a U-bar attached to the top. Looks can be deceiving, and when it comes to roof anchors, there is much more than meets the eye because, as explained in our guide to roof anchors and mentioned earlier, they can be referred to by several different names.
What Should You Consider When Designing & Manufacturing Roof Anchors?
Design Intent
One of, if not the most important part of the process, is knowing the intent of the design itself—whether it's to protect facade maintenance workers suspended off the lines or act as a tieback anchor for rooftop workers, knowing the scope and goal is key. The design intentions provide a detailed look into the components that inform the foundations of the design and installation.
Load Capacity
A typical Pro-Bel anchor is designed to meet a 1,000 lb static load and an ultimate load of 5,000 lb.
- Static Load: The anchor's constant fixed load can be expected to support.
- Ultimate Load: The absolute maximum load the anchor can withstand without fracturing.
Roof Anchor Sizing
Determining the correct anchor size is the next step. Standard Pro-Bel anchors come in sizes of 12", 15", and 18". Custom sizes are available, though altering the design, such as increasing the outside diameter, may be necessary. A general rule is that the anchor should be 8" above the finished roofing material to allow for flashing.
Complying With Safety Regulations
Roof anchors must meet regional safety standards, including specific installation requirements, such as the offset angle for suspension, which is typically 25 to 30 degrees.
Material Selection
Permanent roof anchors are typically made from steel or aluminum, with the material chosen based on the specific application and environmental conditions.
Roof Anchor Installation
The base of a roof anchor system is customized to match the building's structure, which could be wood, cement, steel, or precast. Various installation methods are available depending on the material and design requirements.
Roof anchor bases
Permanent roof anchors are typically made from steel or aluminum, with the material chosen based on the specific application and environmental conditions.
All permanent roof anchors' bases are customized to match the building's structure. Pro-Bel has a base to match whether the rooftop structure is wood, steel, concrete, or prescient. Other factors, such as the structure's width, will also be considered when customizing the roof anchor accordingly.
Wrap Around: These anchors are used in retrofits and wrap around the existing structure. If necessary, reinforcement is added.
Cast in Place: Ideal for concrete structures, these anchors are fully embedded during installation, offering a cost-effective solution.
Bolt-through: Used for curved steel or existing concrete, bolt-through anchors provide an alternative to welding and are easy to install. Care must be taken to avoid piercing ceilings and walls.
Welded: These anchors are welded directly into structural steel beams, often used in new constructions. Retrofits require extreme caution. These anchors are welded directly into the structural steel beams. Therefore, the anchorage layout design must accommodate the structure by only placing them on the I-beams.
Weld to embedded plate: Used in new constructions with hollow slabs, these anchors are welded to a plate embedded into the structure. The cast-in-embed structure is cast into adjacent “cores,” and a weldment anchor (without a base plate) is later welded to the top of the embed plate. These anchors facilitate easy and cost-effective on-site installation.
Contact our roof anchor experts, who will help you design and install the perfect roof anchor for your building's specifications!
The Finished Appearance of a Tieback Anchor Protection System
The Many Uses of a Permanent Roof Anchor
All permanent roof anchors serve a single purpose: to protect workers from falls. Building owners must provide workers and contractors with a workplace free from recognized hazards. Such hazards may include window cleaning from a height or simple maintenance, such as cleaning gutters. When workers may be exposed to a fall, they must be provided with adequate equipment for protection.
The Function of a Pro-Bel Roof Anchorage System
In window cleaning, each worker typically requires two anchors: one to secure their harness and another to support suspended equipment such as a Bosun’s chair or powered platform. Anchors can also be part of horizontal lifeline systems, with cables passed through multiple anchors to create a continuous safety line.
What Are The Basics of Designing a Window Washing/Fall Protection System?
Pro-Bel offers free design services for eligible projects. We will typically review your building, including the roof plan, elevations, all sections, and floor plans. The goal is to determine the most effective method of cleaning the building using permanent roof anchors. Once we have chosen the correct method, we will begin to lay out the system to meet national and local codes and standards. The goal is to provide a code-compliant, efficient to use, and cost-effective system.
As always, it is recommended that you consult a reputable manufacturer such as Pro-Bel whenever designing window washing equipment or fall protection systems. These systems protect workers from potentially catastrophic accidents, and the design of these systems is a highly specialized field.
Safety is the top priority, and proper installation and regular inspections are essential for supporting the security of these fall protection systems.
Window Washing Anchors vs. Window Washing Davits: How to Know The Right Choice For Your Building
Choosing the right rooftop anchor system is crucial; two common options are permanent roof anchors paired with Bosun’s chairs and davits paired with a platform.
Roof anchors can handle a static load of up to 1,000 lbs and an ultimate load of 5,000 lbs. They are the preferred method for low and mid-rise buildings, given that window washers only need to suspend themselves on a Bosun’s chair at lower heights.
Window washing davits can have mobile or fixed arms and can be attached to a permanent base attached to the structure. They are required on buildings with a drop of over 150 meters (about 492.13 ft), but sometimes, in certain cases, davits will be installed on smaller buildings.
Ultimately, a designer with years of experience determining the optimal layout can make the best call.
Designing Effective Rooftop Fall Protection Systems
Ensure Your Building Meets Safety Standards
Contact Us to Design and Install a Custom Tieback Anchor System
*Please note: not all projects qualify for a free design; our design expert will be able to let you know if your project qualifies.
Pro-Bel Roof TieBack Anchors
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